This trip would take me to two "official" countries, Moldova and Romania, as well as one unofficial one, TransDniester. In a brief war, TransDniester seceded from Moldova, and has been more or less independent for more than 10 years now!

Wait, breakaway region with its own military, currency, parliament, border control, etc? .Sounds like a de-facto country to me...and of course I had to visit. .Naturally, you get there from Moldova...but since you can't fly in, you get to take a sketchy mashrutka minibus. .I'm up for adventure! .Flights booked, it was time to head off!